ECF Safeguarding Children Policy

[Michael Flatt]

Safeguarding Officer – appointment to be confirmed by the Board

[1] ECF website - Board & Officers: http://www.englishchess.org.uk/about/ecf-officials/

[Kevin Thurlow]

"Indeed, missing the point completely - there are vulnerable adults playing chess too "

True.

[Michael Flatt]

It should be borne in mind that most tournaments and evening Chess Clubs are public events and there are in general no restrictions on who may attend, although active participants may need to pay a membership fee.

Laws relating to Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults are aimed at those settings (educational establishments, after school clubs, care homes, hospices, etc) where a single adult may be left in sole charge of a child or vulnerable person. Such a person would need to be vetted according to the appropriate regulations and also to have received adequate training.

The organiser (the club secretary tournament director and management committees) have an obligation to conduct a risk assessment and put in place whatever safeguards and training they believe is appropriate with regard the supervision of their event.

The parents of children and carers of vulnerable people do not relinquish their own responsibilities but need to evaluate for themselves whether the organisational arrangements are adequate for them to leave their charges under another person's supervision.

Safeguarding Policy and arrangements should be sufficiently transparent and effective for them to be understood without the need to consult professionally trained legal advisers. The DBS authority can provide specific guidance on where DBS certification might be appropriate.

[Kevin Thurlow]

"Laws relating to Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults are aimed at those settings (educational establishments, after school clubs, care homes, hospices, etc) where a single adult may be left in sole charge of a child or vulnerable person. Such a person would need to be vetted according to the appropriate regulations and also to have received adequate training.

The organiser (the club secretary tournament director and management committees) have an obligation to conduct a risk assessment and put in place whatever safeguards and training they believe is appropriate with regard the supervision of their event."

It is difficult enough getting people to take on voluntary club posts. How many will wish to do all the above as well?

[Michael Flatt]

It is difficult enough getting people to take on voluntary club posts. How many will wish to do all the above as well?

In many cases the conclusion will be that DBS is not appropriate or necessary.

There are too many myths and much misunderstanding of Safeguarding Law. The best source of information is the DBS website.

[1] DBS website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisat ... ng-service

[Kevin Thurlow]

"There are too many myths and much misunderstanding of Safeguarding Law. The best source of information is the DBS website.

[1] DBS website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisat ... ng-service"

Well, yes, but, if you are insured via ECF, you need to follow http://www.englishchess.org.uk/wp-conte ... h-2016.pdf (which I think you posted earlier)

This implies that each club needs a "safeguarding officer", whose duties look somewhat onerous.

In my vast number of years in chess, most bullying of children I have witnessed has consisted of a parent ranting at the child for losing!

[Michael Flatt]

Well, yes, but, if you are insured via ECF, you need to follow http://www.englishchess.org.uk/wp-conte ... h-2016.pdf (which I think you posted earlier)

This implies that each club needs a "safeguarding officer", whose duties look somewhat onerous.

The appointment of a Safeguarding Officer is a legal requirement for those organisations whose staff are subject to DBS vetting. It is not a requirement on adult clubs which do not operate a separate Junior section or offer childcare.

The ECF seem to be misapplying the Safeguarding legislation by making it a requirement on clubs and activities regardless of whether they meet the criteria where DBS could be demanded.

[Kevin Thurlow]

"The appointment of a Safeguarding Officer is a legal requirement for those organisations whose staff are subject to DBS vetting. It is not a requirement on adult clubs which do not operate a separate Junior section or offer childcare."

So you are saying if a junior joins an adult club, the "Safeguarding" does not apply. I wonder if ECF have considered that. It depends how you define "offers childcare" as well.

I hasten to add that we would follow the general principles of "safeguarding" anyway, without filling in a form every time someone glares at a junior who has taken his queen.

[Michael Flatt]

Playing chess is not a regulated activity within the meaning of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006[1]

The DBS website refers to three pieces of legislation [1, 2, 3] which give relevant information.

The ECF appear to be extending the scope of the safeguarding legislation beyond what is intended and may actually be in conflict with the Protection of Freedoms Act.

It would be better for the ECF Insurance scheme to simply reference the relevant legislation and not specify the detailed Safeguarding Policy that the various independent bodies must follow. Our Local Education Authority, for instance, have created a model Safeguarding Policy which schools, voluntary organisations and other bodies are encouraged to adopt and adapt according to their own particular circumstances.

[1] Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (schedule 4): http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/47/schedule/4
[2] Police Act 1997: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/50/part/V
[3] Protection of Freedoms Act 2012: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/201 ... /5/enacted

[Michael Flatt]

I've just come across the Football Association website: http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-gov ... feguarding

Wow! Seriously impressive, but that might be a reflection of the amount of money in football compared to chess.

Of course, football is a physical sport and requires facilities for players to change and shower so the risks would be considerably higher than in chess.